Entertainment

Sweeten up the holiday season with the Art Museum of Southeast Texas (AMSET), by creating a mini winter wonderland at the Gingerbread House Workshop on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Children and their families are invited to design and decorate these sweet holiday gingerbread houses.

The Beaumont Civic Ballet’s landmark performance of The Nutcracker has been a holiday tradition for the last 44 years, and the 45th year will be even more spectacular as those in attendance experience breathtaking dance and see young Clara’s fascinating adventure unfold through the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets in two separate performances, Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2:30 p.m.

The Symphony of Southeast Texas (SOST) presents a great way to kick off the yuletide season with family and friends at “Home for the Holidays” on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at the Julie Rogers Theatre in Beaumont.

The Bellamy Brothers have been performing for five decades, and brothers David and Howard Bellamy are still at it and will perform at Honky Tonk Texas (2389 US 69) in Silsbee on Saturday, Dec. 3, with doors opening at 6 p.m.

Canadian pop-rock act Loverboy will play at the Grand Event Center insider the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 8 p.m. Tickets for this 21-and-older show can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com for $25-$30.

Recalling that J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series became darker and darker as the sequels wore on, don’t be surprised if you find that same element in this latest, promising new world created by the famed author. Directed by David Yates (who directed the last four “Potter” movies), this is Rowling’s first screenplay, and its flaws can’t override that these “Beasts” and their collector, Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne) will have a lengthy run as at least three or four more films are in the works.

It’s your final chance to see Port Arthur Little Theatre adaptation of A Christmas Story from Friday, Nov. 25 – Sunday, Nov. 27. Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$12 and can be purchased online at palt.org or at the box office at 4701 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. in Port Arthur.

Director Denis Villeneuve heads for the stars after the drug-fueled border wars of “Sicario” early this year. Even that movie, filled with violence and an unrelenting tension, was in its own way understated, a hallmark of this director’s style. So, too, is “Arrival,” a thoughtful, almost meditative movie that is as much about the limitations of the heart as it is about the outer limits.

The Jefferson Theatre (345 Fannin) in downtown Beaumont is rolling out the red carpet on Friday, Nov. 18, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the release of the film It’s a Wonderful Life. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for live entertainment, craft beer and cocktails, and fun for the entire family, with the film beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased Civic Center box office. Attendees are encouraged to wear 40s fashion and walk the red carpet.

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